Overview & Reviews

In business for more than 100 years, Audi is an automaker that builds luxury cars and SUVs. The company was started in Germany and has remained Deutschland-based to this day.

"Audi Automobile Works" entered the German car-manufacturing business in 1910 and remained independent until the Great Depression. Because Audi's founder, August Horch, had left a 10-year-old company bearing his own name, he chose a Latin form of his name -- Audi -- for his new company. Audi joined with three other auto manufacturers in 1932 to form Auto Union. Audi, the only surviving nameplate from that union, was purchased by Volkswagen in 1964.

During the 1970s, Audi started to get noticed in the U.S. with its 100LS luxury sedan and compact and sprightly Fox coupe and sedan. By the late '70s the brand had replaced the dated 100LS with its new 5000 luxury sedan.

Every manufacturer has its defining moments. For Audi, one such moment came in March 1980 at the Geneva Motor Show. The automaker unveiled the Audi Quattro, an all-wheel-drive sport coupe that was met with a wildly enthusiastic response on the show floor. The Quattro's all-wheel-drive system went on to help Audi win accolades in motorsports and it was eventually integrated into the entire model range.

That year also saw the Fox replaced by the 4000. Four years later, the range-topping 5000 was redesigned. Audi's sales shot up nearly 50 percent, thanks chiefly to that newly aerodynamic yet handsome flagship that featured what would become an Audi hallmark -- an elegantly stylish, high-quality cabin.

Sadly, Audi's fortunes turned for the worse when the carmaker's 5000 model was accused of unintended acceleration in a 60 Minutes television episode. A subsequent government investigation found Audi innocent of the charge, but the resulting drop in sales nearly put Audi out of business in the U.S.

The late '80s saw Audi redesign the 4000, renaming it the 80 and 90 (with the 90 having more equipment) and also rename the 5000, dubbing it the 100 or 200. The 200 featured a turbocharged five-cylinder with all-wheel drive as opposed to a non-turbo five and front-wheel drive, as on the 100. A Coupe also debuted, as did a new flagship, a V8-powered 200 sedan simply called the "V8".

The following decade saw the A4 and Cabriolet models, as well as the renaming of the 100 to A6. The stunning A8 was introduced as Audi's new flagship, boasting all-aluminum construction and a beefy V8. High-performance versions of the various models bowed, dubbed S4, S6 and S8.

The start of the new millennium brought the TT, Audi's low-slung sport coupe (and later roadster). It also introduced RS versions of the A4 and A6, providing even more performance than "S" variants. In addition to "S" and "RS" versions of the TT, Audi's more recent releases include the A3 hatchback, Q5 crossover SUV, slick A5 coupe, exotic R8 sports car and A7 luxury hatchback sedan.

Today, Audi continues its success in the prestige car marketplace by offering a wide range of vehicles that impressively combine luxury and sport.

User Reviews:

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  Audi, good for a boat anchor - 2009 Audi A4
  By LAST AUDI FOR ME - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Our 2009 A4, 2.o ltr is our 2nd leased Audi. We liked the larger size compared to our 2006 A4. Our honeymoon, however, was short-lived. The car consumed more than one qt of oil prior to the 1st dealer oil change. By the 15k change, the car consumed more than 4 quarts. There was also an issue with a leaking water pump and a throttle gizmo that caused uneven idling. Now taking the car back and forth to the local dealer to "confirm" the oil consumption. 4th trip today. The dealer did say that Audi of America is going to say oil consumption of 1200 miles/quart of oil is "normal." The center LED brake light now broke too. Car is a piece of crap! Buyer/lessee beware! Last Audi for me.

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  Awful, awful, AWFUL! - 2005 Audi A4
  By BethanyE - September 28 - 2:00 am

  I have replaced: the crank shaft, the A/C compressor, the fuel injector pump, tires TWICE in 2.5 years (Im a girl - I dont ride this car hard at all), the air intake, headlights x 13 (there are an insane amount of headlights in this car). I would have been better off (and happier) riding the bus.

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  Never again - 2006 Audi A4
  By Joe - September 28 - 2:00 am

  This car has been nothing but trouble. The check engine light goes on time after time. After 44K miles the car needed a $2200. repair (fuel pump/camshaft) w/ metal shavings in the engine to boot. Last Audi I ever buy.

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  This car is horrible - 2009 Audi A4
  By peter - August 30 - 2:57 pm

  Worst decision of my car buying life. It was the only 2009 left on the lot and had every conceivable option. Problems arose quickly - 1. The steering feels like something is rubbing or a belt it loose - back to dealership 3 times before I was told that there was a service bulletin out on it and no fix yet. 2 Transmission lurches in the dynamic mode - after 3 visits was told that there was a service bulletin out on it and there was no fix yet. Filled out more than one survey on it and never received help. For an almost $50K car, this is a disgrace. Have written Audi many times to just give me my money back. How do you think that is going. Bad mistake.

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  Do not buy AUDI A4 - 2006 Audi A4
  By Marty - August 4 - 12:33 pm

  I may never own another Audi, 10,000 miles over warranty and $11,000 dollars worth of engine problems. I drove this car 25 miles per day only back and forth from work, no hard driving, all interstate. Check engine light came on one day and took to dealer and told $11,000 to fix, need new camshaft, turbo out, and a list of things. I will never own another Audi and this is my second with problems like this, and no help from Audi USA.

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  Costly to drive - 1998 Audi A4
  By spnj - July 24 - 9:34 am

  Bought it new 1998. Six V cylinder engine with a manual stick. Fun to drive and a lot of pep, but repairs way too much and suspension design and transmission not worthy of German engineering (mechanical engineer myself). 12 years and average maintenance/repair cost $1,000/year. First the lower suspension arms replaced, twice each side (Audi recall eventually), then new leaky radiator, wheel bearings on three wheels, timing belt and water pump at 90,000 miles, 142,000 miles new clutch ($1,300), control arm upper front, and exhaust pipe clamps (3 times) plus regular maintenance. I think this is my last Audi and I will turn it in

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  Piece of junk - 1998 Audi A6
  By john9 - May 27 - 5:00 pm

  I cant believe the ratings are as high as they are. Way more repair issues than ANY car deserves. Now I have 120k mi and spends more time in shop than home! Expensive to get worked on. Many issues throughout life of car. Would never ever buy another Audi.

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  Worst Car I have ever bought!!! - 2005 Audi A4
  By durank - February 13 - 4:45 pm

  The car was fine until the warranty ran out. I kept every service appointment with my car on time at only the Audi dealership and took excellent care of my car having it detailed each spring. Within a year of the warranty expiring my car would not start and at 62,000 miles and four years old my car needed a new $13,000 engine!!! The dealership told me they could not determine the cause and would not take care of any of the cost, which were more than the car was worth. They offered me nothing for a trade in and no deals on purchasing a new Audi, no financing. Audi does not stand by their cars or customers.

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  Beware of Engine Oil Sludge problems - 1999 Audi A4
  By KLEE - February 4 - 10:24 am

  Bought this car new from the dealer in 1999 and did regular oil changes with the dealership. Just last month .. oil pressure light goes on and discovered that the engine developed a major Sludge problem .... cost $5,000 to fix ...beware! If the dealship knew about this problem they should have suggested to change to synthetic oil and do more regular oil changes ... Terribly disappointed with Audi !!!

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  Dont buy this car! - 2007 Audi A4
  By Nan - December 29 - 9:14 pm

  Traded in my BMW for the A4 2.0T. Big mistake!!! The A4 is ho hum boring to drive, no power, cant handle a turn, biggest mistake I ever made buying the A4. Audi is dreaming if they think their A4 2.0T compares to a BMW ride. Im miserable with the A4.